Includes Discussing Effects of Pharmaceuticals as Priority
The practice of chiropractic in New York is defined as:
The practice of the profession of chiropractic is defined as detecting and correcting by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve interference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the vertebral column.
Further to this - chiropractors licensed in New York may:
- Detect nerve interference by using their hands, instruments, x-rays or other imaging procedures (e.g., MRIs), and by ordering and interpreting laboratory tests;
- Adjust and/or manipulate bones in the body;
- Use electrical stimulation, acupressure, massage, ultrasound, deep heat, hot and cold packs, traction, and support devices; and
- Provide guidance and recommendations on lifestyle habits, posture, exercise, diet, and stress.
Further reading reveals that:
- Nutritional counseling, including the dispensing of food concentrates, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements approved by the board as being appropriate to, and as a part of, his or her practice of chiropractic - are allowed.
Chiropractors are also considered primary health care professionals in New York.
Seems like instead of changing the practice act in New York they should try helping other states adopt similar language.
So, for a chiropractor like NYSCA President Louis Lupinacci who thinks this is Stone Age practice, what more would a chiropractor want in order to be "modernized"?
According to Lupinacci modernizing chiropractic includes:
- Extremity adjusting
- Performance of urinalysis in the office
- Discussing effects of pharmaceuticals with patients
He goes on to point out that these "are just to name a few" - you have to wonder about what else he left out.
*Side note: There is nothing in a reading of the law that prohibits extremity care.
The New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) and the New York Chiropractic Council (NYCC) are currently engaged in so called "merger" negotiations - though various reports have stated that they would not merge but instead both organizations would actually just shut down and everyone would join a new, single, "unified" organization.
NYSCA in collaboration with New York Chiropractic College recently commissioned a survey being sent to chiropractors in New York regarding their attitudes on scope change and pharmaceuticals in chiropractic.
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While the survey is inherently flawed, that flawed nature gives a window into the manipulation (no pun intended) that can occur from the use of inappropriatley designed and administered survey research. For example the survey asks respondents to classify themsleves into one of two types of chiropractors:
- Detect spinal subluxations and make adjustment to the spine to remove subluxations, thereby reducing nerve interference which promotes health and well-being for the patient.
- A neuromusculoskeletal specialist, primarily of the spine, who utilizes treatment which includes spinal manipulation, rehabilitation, and other modalities to restore normal joint mechanics for the patient, thereby reducing pain and increasing ability to function.
These two categories do not begin to flesh out the spectrum of practitioners that make up the profession. So a chiropractor who considers himself as focused on subluxations but also uses nutrition might choose being a neuromusculoskeltal specialist.
Other methodological and administrative flaws exist with the survey so at this point it can never be taken seriously regardless of the results.
Making matters worse for "unity" in New York is that NYSCA apparently went ahead with this survey on their own. Considering that both organizations are attempting to give the perception to their constituents and outsiders that everything regarding merger and unity is going swimmingly in New York - this is at least one piece of evidence that all is not well. And if these associations cannot even get together to survey their own constituents, what does that say about the potential future actions of one organization in New York that no longer has a counterbalancing voice?
